(Yicai) May 26 -- FinVolution Group is lending a hand to grassroots businesses in emerging markets through a new support program. 

The leading fintech company today launched BRAVOSHOPS, a program built to support small enterprises and inclusive growth where it’s needed most, at the first-ever Global Business Summit on Infrastructure Investment for Better Business, Better World, and the Sustainable Development Goals, on May 25, 2025.

Co-hosted by the Government of Indonesia and the United Nations Global Compact(UNGC) BRI Action Platform, the summit spotlighted nine standout projects focused on sustainable infrastructure and economic inclusion. 

Among them was BRAVOSHOPS, FinVolution’s flagship initiative to empower 1,500 micro and small enterprises (MSEs) across China and Southeast Asia by 2030.

From neighborhood heroes to regional pioneers

BRAVOSHOPS launched in late 2023 with a simple idea: support the small businesses that uplift their communities every day.

In China, the program’s early beneficiaries included a barber offering free haircuts to seniors, a reading room for neighborhood kids, and a café employing hearing-impaired people. These businesses might be small, but their impact is anything but.

By the end of 2024, more than 70 such businesses had joined the program, improving the lives of over 15,000 people, from elderly residents to children and those with disabilities.

Now, BRAVOSHOPS is expanding into Southeast Asia, with Indonesia and the Philippines among the first stops. Local fintech partners AdaKami and JuanHand are coming onboard to help make the transition smooth, offering support to entrepreneurs often overlooked by traditional finance.

Growing hope in West Java

Agus Surya is one of the first Indonesian entrepreneurs to benefit from BRAVOSHOPS. Based in Cianjur Regency, West Java, this young university graduate opened a farming tools store to serve his rural community, offering not just hard-to-find equipment, but also free usage advice.

Thanks to BRAVOSHOPS, Agus recently upgraded his store with new signage and display shelves. The improvements didn’t just boost foot traffic; they gave the shop a new purpose as a local hub for innovation in agriculture.

“Running an agricultural business isn’t just about profit and loss,” Agus said. “It’s about creating a positive impact in the community.” His goal is to build a space where commerce and social good go hand in hand.

A taste of home, and a better future for women entrepreneurs

Agus is not alone. In Jakarta, Ms. Vonny Waty, a chef originally from Manado, North Sulawesi, runs a small food stall serving regional cuisine to office workers. She’s been cooking for 15 years, but a lack of proper storage held her back.

With help from BRAVOSHOPS, she received a new refrigerator, a rice cooker, and storage cabinets. These upgrades didn’t just improve food safety; they helped stabilize her operations and expand her customer base.

Now, with a steadier income, she’s not just growing her business, but inspiring other women entrepreneurs in her neighborhood to chase their dreams, too.

Scaling up for sustainable impact

Speaking at the summit, FinVolution President Pingping Chen outlined the broader vision behind the project: “BRAVOSHOPS is rooted in our long-standing belief in the social value created by small business owners. By extending the program to neighboring countries, we aim to support more entrepreneurs facing challenges such as limited access to finance and resources.”

Her message was clear: real development begins with people, and progress only matters if it’s shared. BRAVOSHOPS is FinVolution’s way of helping build those bridges — across borders, and between communities. It also denotes a new approach to contributing to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Making ESG more than a buzzword

FinVolution has been a UNGC member since 2022 and has worked steadily to integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its daily operations. It’s earned a “low risk” ESG rating from Morningstar Sustainalytics, ranking among the top 15% of global diversified financial firms. Its S&P Global Corporate Sustainability score also exceeds the industry average.

But beyond these accolades, it’s the numbers tied to real people that matter the most. In 2024 alone, FinVolution served over 826,000 small and micro users. Behind the tech and data is an unswerving drive to reach the people who need support the most.

BRAVOSHOPS is part of a broader portfolio of initiatives by FinVolution. Back in 2022, FinVolution partnered with China’s national weightlifting team to launch a RMB 100 million ($13.85 billion) interest-free loan program, helping more than 11,000 small business owners get back on their feet. 

These efforts reflect FinVolution’s ongoing commitment to creating long-term value for underserved and vulnerable communities.

Small shops, lasting change

Looking ahead, FinVolution and its partners aim to help more than 1,500 BRAVOSHOPS to flourish by 2030. Focus areas include sustainable agriculture, inclusive employment, and improved livelihoods — all aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. The company also plans to strengthen collaboration with local partners to extend the scope and impact of its work.

In a region where microenterprises form the economic backbone, BRAVOSHOPS is proving that even the smallest shops can herald lasting change — and that inclusive growth is possible when support reaches the people who need it most. Because when you help someone build their business, you help them build their future.